Introduction to... Me

I am Randall John Hendricks. I was born Nov. 16, 1984 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to Randall Vern and Deborah Jane Wheat-Hendricks. I have one brother, Paul, older than me by 5 1/2 years. I grew up in the small sleepy suburban town of Wood Heights, close to Excelsior Springs. In fact, I lived in the same two-bedroom home for the first 18 years of my life.

School was a wild ride but often a joy for me. I applied myself to do well. Also my big brother, who did very well in school, was a good example of a strong student. In high school I worked very hard and achieved a 3.904 GPA and a 16th rank of 194 graduates. I really enjoyed school.

The Gospel is newer to me than most. During my junior year, at age 17, I began to date a young LDS girl who I worked with named Liz. She began to tell me about temples and prophets and visions. I was skeptical at first. But I couldn't deny the testimonies that I heard; plus Liz's family was always happy. Liz and I parted ways, but not before the seed of curiosity was placed in my mind and heart. I took the missionary discussions and was baptized Dec 15, 2002. I have recently celebrated five years of membership.

I served an LDS mission for 2 years, Feb ’04-’06, in San Jose, California. It was an amazing time that I wouldn't have traded for the world. It was definitely one of the more worth-while and fulfilling things I've ever done. The weight of those two years is likely far greater than that of my life accomplishments for the 19 previous years combined.

It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture. If any man would read the Book of Mormon and give it the proper serious reflection it deserves, they would know of its truth. During my own investigation I read some of the Book of Mormon. After just a few verses, I felt that the Book of Mormon was a true book.

Shortly after my mission, this time last year, I met my wife, Christa. We were both out to Utah for school from distant lands. It so happened that we were privileged to live near each other in King Henry Apartments. We had shared a large ward for a whole semester before we were formally introduced.

After the introduction we fell in love quickly. At a UVSC Institute dance we danced together and I knew Christa was special. As the night ended I stole her cell phone like a 4^th grade boy so I would have a reason to keep her attention. I declared later that night that I would only return her possession if she would accompany we to a late dinner. Following our dinner date we talked for hours and decided we would date.

After many wonderful experiences, I asked Christa to marry me. We had decided together that marriage was something we wanted for ourselves. Her father flew out to meet me. Shortly after this, before the winter semester had ended, I had a ring and a plan. I took her to Provo Canyon to a park we visited the first night we dated and proposed. We were married July 2007 in the Washington D.C. Temple.

I am currently studying to be a manufacturing engineer. I am a junior at BYU. I work for a manufacturing company in Murray, Utah as a Process Improvement intern. I plan one day to operate and own a manufacturing facility.

Mitt Romney -Faith and Candidacy

I read the article titled "Romney's Speech: The Role of Faith in America." Therein the author explains Romney's position on the role of religion as it pertains to state. The author tells us Romney does not think church and state can be completely separated and furthermore that he will "endeavor to live by it." The author makes this point 4 times.
The kairos to this article would be that now is the most relevant time for such an article to be written. Of course, now is the hot bed of the primary election season. Many are informed about the religious affiliation of Romney, but have not yet made up their minds as to what to do about it.
The intended audience would likely be BYU Daily Universe Readers, members of the LDS faith (trying to rally LDS support of Mitt), and the American voter. This article would likely have a larger effect in a national newspaper; however, it also ought to have a polarizing effect on the LDS reader.
The greatest means of persuasion I could see is the appeal to some sense of religious or moral fortitude. The author deliberately made the point that Romney would not declare "division between church and state was absolute" as JFK (a revered President) did. This makes Romney somehow more noble and honorable than JFK to the reader.

ENG 150 Start

Start of a new semester... GREAT!